Croat PUCAR-RAKOVAC topping Europe

Tomislav PUCAR and Lea RAKOVEC clinched the title in the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships. In the final they prevailed against Nandor ECSEKI of Hungary and Bernadett BALINT of Romania. New champions were 2:0 down

Tomislav PUCAR and Lea RAKOVEC clinched the title in the Junior Mixed Doubles Event at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships. In the final they prevailed against Nandor ECSEKI of Hungary and Bernadett BALINT of Romania.

New champions were 2:0 down after poor start, but newly formed Croatian pairings recovered to win the duel by narrow margin.

In the semi final PUCAR and RAKOVAC beat pairings from Portugal and Israel Diogo CHEN and Nicole TROSMAN in another full five games duel. “We started this match just few moments after I lost the encounter in singles. I was all cried out and emotionally shaken. I needed time to enter this duel, but thanks to Tomislav I succeeded. His fighting spirit and support gave me power,” explained Lea.

Tomislav was very modest after the semis. “I have not played that good, Lea was the key figure here. I am very unhappy with the numerous mistakes I have made.”

In other semi final match, the former European bronze medalists in cadet category exceeded their previous success as they reached junior competition. Nandor ECSEKI of Hungary and Bernadett BALINT of Romania beat Turkish pairings Ibrahim GUNDUZ and Damla UZEL. “Our tactic was to attack them with aggressive approach. That paid of,” said BALINT.

ECSEKI added: ”It is difficult to play against two lefthanders, but we believed we can win. We attacked them with the forehand, then went for a backhand.”

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